Running to Places Theatre Company to settle down at unused space in Ithaca Mall

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Jamie Germano

Having produced more than 50 shows in venues across the region since 2007, youth theater company Running to Places is attempting to settle down by campaigning for its own space at the Ithaca Mall.

The theater would occupy a portion of the original multiplex movie theaters, which still remain, hidden between Best Buy and the former Sears entrance. The space would include 323-seat auditorium, a rehearsal room, scene shop, costume storage area, dressing rooms, box office and a business office.

A ground plan shows the layout of the theater, stage, dressing rooms and other spaces.

A ground plan shows the layout of the theater, stage, dressing rooms and other spaces.

Running to Places

Running to Places set a fundraising goal of $150,000 by the end of the summer to pay for renovations for the theater, and has already raised more than $92,000 in the first few days. Donations can be made at www.givegab.com/campaigns/r2p-is-running-home/.

Theater renovations are scheduled to start Sept. 1, with the new season opening in December. The season will begin with the first Ithaca performance of "Newsies," followed by "Annie,"“Alice in Wonderland”; “The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical ‘Wonderful Wizard of Oz,’” in collaboration with Circus Culture; and will culminate with “Mamma Mia.”

“After more than 10 years on the road, it’s time for R2P to settle down,” artistic director Joey Steinhagen said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to create a permanent theatre of our own.”

"One of the reasons we called ourselves Running to Places when we began in 2007 was that we figured we would forever be homeless and nomadic," the Give Gab campaign reads. "Over the course of our first decade, we did our work in any available venue that we could afford."

A performance during an event introducing members of the Running to Places Theatre Company to their ...more

A performance during an event introducing members of the Running to Places Theatre Company to their new space in the Ithaca Mall.

Provided photo

Soon, it appears they may no longer have to go searching for venues.

James Drew, president of the R2P board, said the Ithaca Mall is an ideal location for the theater because of families' familiarity with the mall and the mall's accessibility by bus or by car.

“Having live theater at the mall will also be a boon for mall businesses, bringing hundreds of people to the mall for each performance, contributing to the stability and longevity of that anchor of Tompkins County,” Drew said.

In the new space, R2P will be able to stage shows for more than one weekend, and can add performances during sold-out runs, a press release stated. Community groups have expressed interest in the space for performances, rehearsals, storage, meetings and other uses.

R2P company members also said they could use the space as a "laboratory and playground" for their own creative works.

“We’re looking forward to student-directed pieces, garage band concerts, in-depth technical trainings, master classes by guest artists, experimental projects, and countless ideas yet to be born – the sky’s the limit,” said Steinhagen. “And all the while, we’ll be upholding our promise to keep participation in R2P entirely free.”

A view of the new space for the Running to Places Theatre Company at the Ithaca Mall. The company ...more

A view of the new space for the Running to Places Theatre Company at the Ithaca Mall. The company has already raised almost two-thirds of its $150,000 goal.

Provided photo

Jerry Dietz, owner of C.S.P. Management, and Rachel Lampert, artistic director emerita of the Kitchen Theatre, are acting as advisors for the capital campaign.

"Having our own space would provide consistency and stability for our program so that we could better focus our service for the kids rather than on logistics, such as moving in and out for every performance," said Steinhagen. "There would be new opportunities to teach perform and create."

The youth would also have greater autonomy if they had their own theater and it would allow some of the members to take on leadership positions.

Members of the Running to Places Theatre Company view their new space in the Ithaca Mall.

Members of the Running to Places Theatre Company view their new space in the Ithaca Mall.

Provided photo

"We constantly have kids come up with ideas," Steinhagen said. "We have very ambitious, creative leaders who have ideas for shows to perform. We would be able to use the space to perform an experimental dance concert, a stage performance of a student's work, a karaoke night — the sky's the limit."

Several fundraising options are available, including naming rights on several areas inside the space for those who donate a certain amount. The company has already received a $50,000 to name the performance space and a $15,000 donation to name the orchestra pit.

"We are so moved by the show of support from the community reaffirming its a good idea," Steinhagen said.